Tour overview

Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with the Maldives in the southwest and India in the northwest.

Sri Lanka has a population of approximately 22 million people and is home to many cultures, languages, and ethnicities. The Sinhalese people form the majority of the nation’s population, followed by the Tamils, who are the largest minority group and are concentrated in northern Sri Lanka; both groups have played an influential role in the island’s history. Other long-established groups include the Moors, Indian Tamils, Burghers, Malays, Chinese, and Vedda.

Highlights

Kandy Sightseeing, Botanical Gardens, Turtle Hatchery, Maadu River Safari, Colombo Sightseeing

Included

  • Sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary
  • Show entrance ticket as per itinerary

Not Included

  • Passport fees, immunization costs, city taxes at the hotel and local departure taxes (wherever applicable)
  • Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of the itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Colombo and transfer to Kandy with Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

When we arrive at the Colombo International Airport where our representatives will be waiting to greet and transfer you to Kandy. While on our way to Kandy, we’ll make a quick stop at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage which has become one of Sri Lanka’s most popular attraction. Tourists and locals all love meeting the residents here and interact with the 65 captive elephants who were saved from many situations. Some of them were orphaned and abandoned since babies, others were elderly matriarchs who can’t survive in the wild anymore or adults that had suffered from unethical treatments while in captivity.
It is about 90km from Colombo and after you have fun playing with the elephants, we’ll head to Kandy to the hotel. We’ll check-in and let you rest for the night in Kandy.

Day 2: Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya with Sightseeing

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Kandy before we leave. We are heading to Nuwara Eliya immediately, which is a 5-hour journey by car. Upon arrival, we’ll help with check-in at the hotel before we hop on a sightseeing around here.
We start with visiting the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course that’s nestled among the cypress trees. It is an 18-hole course club that’s surrounded by eucalyptus and cypress with the tea plantations above. It was founded by the British who also introduced tea plantations for a place to rest and be entertained, making it one of the oldest tea plantations in Asia. The place offers lavish experience and lessons for those who wish to learn a bit of golf.
We don’t want to miss out on Victoria Park, it’s a public park located next to Nuwara Eliya which was originally the research field for the Hakgala Botanical Garden. It is a beautiful garden that cares for many varieties of flowers and was renamed to Victoria Park in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. There are lakes naturally created by the River Nanu Oya that truly made this place beautiful.
Right in the center of Nuwara Eliya is Gregory Lake, which was artificially built in 1873 when British Governor William Gregory was ruling. Now it’s a lake park that’s favored by both tourists and locals to enjoy picnics or maybe take a ride in the swan boats and jet skis.
We can take our time to also look around Sita Eliya, a sacred temple where you can see the footprints of Lord Hanuman looking for the Ashok Vatika to find leads on Sita. It’s one of the few dedicated to Sita, and has a small stream flowing next to the temple where Sita is believed to have taken her bath. Please dress modestly while visiting this temple.
Next, we’ll visit the Pedro Tea Estate, which is a beautiful estate surrounded by stunning view of Sri Lanka. Located just 3.5km away from Nuwara Eliya, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a calm walk with a tour around the estate here. It’s known for the processing and cultivation of Ceylon tea, a popular product you can acquire here. The estate preserves and practices the 19th century processing techniques to this day. Enjoy the view, the fresh aroma of tea, and the cool breeze.
We’ll drive back to the hotel in Nuwara Eliya and spend the night there.

Day 3: Day Sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya

Enjoy your breakfast today before we set off on our tour of the day. We’re going to Sita Amman Temple as our first destination, a Hindu Temple dedicated to Princess Sita that was also mentioned in the epic of Ramayana. The story goes that Sita was rescued by Rama 5000 years ago and to commemorate her, the temple was built here. Many devotees visit the temple to worship Sita Mata. Visitors are advised to wear modestly when they visit the temple.
Just a kilometer away is the Hakgala Gardens. The Hakgala Gardens is actually five Botanical Gardens as one, and they’re the Royal Botanical Garden, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Henarathgoda Botanical Garden, Mirijjawila Botanical Garden, and Seetawaka Botanical Garden. It is the largest garden of Sri Lanka where you can find many tropical and sub-tropical plants when it was previously used for tea cultivations and Cinchona. The Hakgala Gardens also have a history and legend as it is believed that it was gifted by Ravana to Sita as an Ashok Vatika. Hence while the area is called Sita Eliya and you can find a Temple of the Goddess Sita.
We don’t want to miss out on Victoria Park, it’s a public park located next to Nuwara Eliya which was originally the research field for the Hakgala Botanical Garden. It is a beautiful garden that cares for many varieties of flowers and was renamed to Victoria Park in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. There are lakes naturally created by the River Nanu Oya that truly made this place beautiful.
We’ll head back to your hotel after visiting the gardens for your overnight stay.

Day 4: Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Bentota with Turtle Hatchery & Madu Rive Excursion

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya before we check-out. Today, we are going to Bentota and upon arrival, head straight to the hotel for check-in. Leave your luggage here and rest for a little before we proceed to the Madu River later.
The Boat Safari at Madu River is a major attraction that will show you the view of the wide Madu Ganga. It’s a healing journey through the mangrove forest and observe the biodiversity of Madu River that includes 19 endemic species. There are 64 islands and is such an attractive destination for nature lovers and bird watchers. Catch sights of the rare bird species and reptiles that made their home here. There are also traditional fishermen here who make a living through Stilt Fishing. It is a method that uses a crossbar with a vertical pole attached to the sea floor and they wait by the crossbar for the fish to bite.
Then visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project for turtle hatching. Since 1981, the area has become one of the best locations to find turtles laying their eggs and it was established by the Wildlife Protection Society. The project will take in newborn turtles and raise them in big tanks with nutritional food and clean environment for just a few days. They’ll then be released into the wild at night from the safest area to ensure survivability.
The Conservation generally has five species they take care of and visitors will learn all about these gorgeous turtles that are now endangered. They are also allowed to interact with the turtles and hold them in their palms and check out the babies in their tanks.
Once we’re done, we’ll then head back to the hotel for an overnight stay in Bentota.

Day 5: Transfer from Bentota to Colombo

Enjoy your breakfast the check-out from the hotel in Bentota and hop on your ride for Colombo. We’ll immediately head for the hotel for your check-in before you can rest in your room. You’ll have the rest of the day at leisure and we suggest you indulge in Colombian shopping experience at the Odel & Mondy. Or perhaps give the famous Casinos of Colombo a visit!
We will spend the night at the hotel in Colombo.

Day 6: Transfer to Aiport for Departure

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before we check-out. You’ll have the rest of the day on your own before the time of departure. Our team will drive you to the airport per schedule for your flight back home.